OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Oswego State men's ice hockey team has lofty goals this season, which include bettering its runner-up finish from last season, and a good measuring stick for the season will be an early test against Elmira on Saturday. The Lakers' matchup with the Soaring Eagles is the Oswego State Game of the Week.

On a roster of 24 players, the Lakers sport 14 seniors, which means this is the last chance for more than half the squad to capture a National Championship. However, an Oswego State ice hockey season is a long one riddled with many tests along the way.

The Lakers already took their first test, in the form of an exhibition against the USA Under -18 National Team. In that contest, Oswego State was ousted, 2-0, in just the third shutout for the Lakers since Jan. 18, 2002.

Senior forward Chris Muise (Oakville, Ont.) had some positive takeaways from the game.

“They have at least five guys going in the first round of the NHL Draft,” Muise said. “It was a good team to open up the season against. I'd rather play a team like that, a skilled team, rather than a team we'd walk all over.”

The Lakers also play on Friday, as they'll skate against the Cortland Red Dragons in their State University of New York Athletic Conference opener. The Lakers haven't lost to the Red Dragons since Jan. 20, 2006, when they were still playing in Romney Field House.

On Saturday, the players' attention will turn to the Soaring Eagles. In the past two years, the Lakers have opened their season with back-to-back wins over Elmira. However in 2009-10, the Lakers split their two games with the Soaring Eagles.

Muise knows the importance of the team's second regular season contest.

“I think it's a huge game,” Muise said. “They graduated a lot of seniors last year. I think it'll be important to actually beat them because we'll be playing them again in their barn. I think
sending a statement against a solid team like Elmira would be key to start the year off.”

Oswego State is coming off a 24-4-2 season, but one in which they didn't capture either the SUNYAC Championship or the NCAA title. Muise says the team already has its long-term goals set.

“Our team goals are a SUNYAC Championship and a National Championship for sure.”
Muise also recognizes the pressure to win a National Championship piled on the team year
after year.

“I think there's been pressure every year,” Muise said. “Especially since we've been the so-called 'team that can't win the big game.' For all the seniors that we have this year, there will be a lot of pressure. I think we'll live up to it.”

Muise netted seven goals last season, while also tallying 17 assists, but his individual goals for this year are much higher.

“Individually, I want to be a key contributor point-wise,” Muise said. “I'm hoping to put up 15 goals maybe and 20 assists. I also want to contribute defensively because teams always need guys who can play both ways.”

Oswego State begins the year ranked No. 2 in the USCHO Preseason Poll, with conference foe Plattsburgh at No. 5 and Elmira five spots back at No. 10 in the country.

A win over Elmira would solidify the Lakers' stance as an elite hockey team in the 2012-13 season. In order to earn another trip to the Frozen Four, the Lakers are going to need a full-team effort throughout the whole season.